Germany Announce Provisional World Cup Squad, 7 Stars Snubbed

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May.15, 2018 - 01:24 pm

By David Kappel

Germany coach Joachim Low, who has an abundance of talent at his disposal, has now announced his provisional squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but snubbed a few big stars, including 2014 final goalscorer Mario Gotze.

Click through the gallery above to see seven players who were snubbed for Germany's World Cup squad.

The defending champions have been drawn in Group F alongside Mexico, Sweden and South Korea, and will begin their World Cup preparations with a friendly against Austria on 2 June, before facing Saudi Arabia on 8 June.

Low once again had a few tough calls to make and opted to call up Manuel Neuer, who has not made a single appearance since 16 September, but returned to team training this week.

Meanwhile, Gotze, who scored the extra-time winner in the final against Argentina four years ago, was not included in Germany's 27-man preliminary squad.

The 58-year-old coach, who extended his contract until 2022 on Tuesday and guided Germany to their fourth World Cup title in 2014, has until 4 June to cut his preliminary squad down to 23 names.